Obituary of Ivis Portia Young

Ivis went Home on Thursday, October 18, 2018. She will be welcomed in Heaven by her husband, JIM; parents, Ernest and Alice Wood; six siblings including her twin Iris, Phyllis, Helen, Molly, Doris, and Thomas; as well as many extended family. She will be lovingly remembered by daughter JAN(ET) (Bill Forrest) of Regina, along with Chad (Jamie) and great-granddaughter Grace, Amy (Trevor Pollock) and great-grandsons, Kade and Luca; son IAN (Colleen) of Calgary and their daughters, Janel (Donovan Ashby) and Emily (Michael Zegarac); sisters-in-law, Ouida Young and Germaine Young; along with many nieces, nephews, and friends.

The first twins born in the new Yorkton City Hospital, Ivy and Iris arrived on February 25, 1928 and were raised on the family farm in Orcadia. Mom's education in a one room schoolhouse preceded correspondence school and then light housekeeping with Iris to complete high school in Yorkton. Here she met Jim, and after completing a business course, she became a teller in the Bank of Montreal. Ivis and Jim were married on September 22, 1951 and built their own home north on Highway #9 on an acreage shared with Jim's parents, his brother John, and his family. With the arrival of Janet and then Ian, Ivis's life focus became that of being an excellent wife, mother, and homemaker. Moves with Massey Ferguson took them to Saskatoon and finally to Regina in 1968. Ivis enjoyed her meticulous home and her lush gardens, and generously shared the fruits of her kitchen and the blooms of her garden with family, friends, and neighbours. Education was a priority and she actively supported Jim to complete his last Grade XII courses as an adult in Saskatoon, and her kids throughout their schooling. Church and community were consistently supported by Ivis who could always be depended on at Whitmore Park United Church, Meals-on Wheels, Little League Baseball, and anything else that she, Jim, and her kids were involved in. She enjoyed curling with Jim, playing board games with her kids and any opportunity for a game of bridge. Mom knitted, sewed, read, and often had a jigsaw puzzle on the go. She was also good at crosswords and enjoyed her piano, sports on television, and a good cup of tea along with visits with family and friends. She was the best of neighbours. While Ivis really did not enjoy camping, she quietly endured family tent trailer trips so Janet and Ian could see western Canada. Later, with a similar dislike of flight and heat, she and Jim made trips to Nassau, where time with family was always worth it. Ivis loved her grandchildren and proudly followed their music, school, and figure skating pursuits. Even though her memory was greatly compromised by the time her younger grandkids graduated and married and her great-grandchildren arrived, they all brought wide smiles from her through pictures and visits.  Janel's 30th birthday was one of her last family celebrations and with the words to happy birthday on her lips and a smile on her face, she fully participated. At her own 90th, she enjoyed reading her cards along with homemade lemon cake, ice cream, and fresh berries. Simple pleasures were always the most appreciated by our Mom!

Janet and Ian are grateful to the frontline caregivers and staff of Regina Lutheran Home. We have tried to continually thank dedicated care-aides, housekeeping, recreation, kitchen, and nursing staff as they provided a safe and comfortable home for Mom. Their support was so evident and truly a blessing during Mom's final four days. The friendship of many other families at RLH was also a bonus and a great comfort during times of celebration and sadness.  

A private inurnment and celebration of Ivis's life will be held. Flowers are most graciously declined, however a memorial donation to a charity of your choice or bestowing an act of kindness on someone who wouldn't expect it would be a wonderful tribute to our Mom.